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8 Amazing Facts About Your Teeth and Gums

Today, I’m excited to tell you I have a guest post from Miami Holistic Dentist; Dr. Ted Herrmann from Assure Smile. I’m very honored that he wrote this very informative post.

Your smile is dynamic part of your body, changing daily with each meal, coffee, and personal interaction. To be sure, few things are more amazing than the hard and soft tissues that comprise your teeth and gums. Enjoy the following 8 most amazing facts about your teeth and gums, and share this post with your friends and family on social media!

Getting to Know Your Teeth and Gums

Your teeth are alive. Contrary to popular belief, teeth are not static bone-like structures. Rather, they are living organs, just like the skin and heart. Each day, teeth lose and regain minerals through a process called re-mineralization. This process is helped by saliva, which bathes the teeth in major and trace minerals needed to replenish the outer enamel.

Tooth enamel is the hardest thing in your body. No tissue, ligament, or bone is stronger than tooth enamel. This material is incredibly resilient, helping us to breakdown thick, fibrous foods that are essential for nutrition. However, tooth enamel is also susceptible to wear, tear, and decay. Brushing and flossing is the only way to remove the acid-producing bacteria that will otherwise eat away at this invaluable biomass.

Teeth are like icebergs. The visible portion of your teeth is just the tip of the iceberg. Approximately 2/3rds of the tooth is hidden below the gum line. The hidden portion is comprised mostly of the root and inner pulp. While the root serves as the foundation, the inner pulp contains the blood, lymph vessels, and nerves that help to nourish the tooth.

Your teeth are uniquely yours. Just like fingerprints, every person has a unique set of teeth.

You’ll spend more than 5 weeks brushing over the course of your life. The average person spends a little over 38 days brushing their teeth, assuming they maintain a regular oral hygiene regimen. While it may seem like a long time, remember that poor oral health can significantly harm total body wellness. In this light, 38 days is a small fraction of time compared to the many thousands of healthier and happier days you get in return.

Teeth form long before you are born. That’s right—it’s common to see teeth developing in unborn children during a prenatal ultrasound. These teeth are sometimes referred to as milk teeth, and they will set the foundation for the child’s first years of oral health. In fact, researchers believe that certain oral bacteria may cause cavities among children long before the first teeth emerge from the gum line.

Your mouth is the gateway to your body. The health of the body is intricately tied to the health of the teeth and gums, according to Miami dentist Dr. Theodore Herrmann. For proof, look no further than the well-established link between gum disease, heart disease, and stroke (source: Perio.org).

People who smile often tend to live longer. Even forcing a smile causes the release of dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain. When released regularly, these chemicals have a positive effective on overall mental, emotional, and physical health. This concept has been studied widely, with one notable study published by the International Association of Applied Psychology.

Caring for Your Teeth and Gums

Teeth, gums, the tongue, and the millions of nerve endings that comprise the oral cavity are instrumental in not only survival, but also in the enjoyment of everyday life. Wholesome foods, sweet treats, and thirst-quenching drinks are just a few of the experiences made possible by the complex network of hard and soft tissues found in the mouth. Care for your teeth and gums by brushing regularly, flossing every night, and visiting a dentist every 4 to 6 months (more often for children) to ensure optimal oral hygiene and health.

Comments

Wow, some of these things I did not know and they are all genuinely interesting. Question: If I brush my teeth for the next five weeks straight can I stop brushing for the rest of my life? Haha I’m kidding.

These are some amazing facts about teeth! I had no idea that tooth enamel was the hardest part of the body. I guess even the hardest of materials can be eaten away by acid. That’s why brushing and flossing are so important.